Alice in Wonderland: Down the Rabbit Hole

by Joe Rhatigan (As told by), Lewis Carroll, Éric Puybaret (As told by)

Tumble down the rabbit hole with Alice for a fantastical adventure from Walt Disney Pictures and Tim Burton. Inviting and magical, ALICE IN WONDERLAND is an imaginative new twist on one of the most beloved stories of all time. Alice (Mia Wasikowska), now 19 years old, returns to the whimsical world she first entered as a child and embarks on a journey to discover her true destiny. This Wonderland is a world beyond your imagination and unlike anything you've seen before. The extraordinary characters you've loved come to life richer and more colorful than ever. There's the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), the White Queen (Anne Hathaway), the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), the White Rabbit (Michael Sheen) and more. A triumphant cinematic experience -- ALICE IN WONDERLAND is an incredible feast for your eyes, ears and heart that will captivate audiences of all sizes.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy

28 pages, Hardcover

Published February 10, 2015

About the author

Joe Rhatigan has authored more than fifteen books for children and adults, including Don't Unravel When You Travel and Out-of-This-World Astronomy. He has also produced several best-selling books and series, including 101 Places You Gotta See Before You're 12!, The Boo Boo Book, and the My Very Favorite Art Book series. Joe has been a poet, a teacher, a marketing manager, and a newspaper boy. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with his wife and three children

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never been a fan of the Alice in Wonderland books. I suppose they were just too odd for my reading tastes when I was younger. While I recognize their timelessness and their impact on our culture, I can remember being puzzled by all the odd characters. Nevertheless, I liked this picture book retelling of Alice's adventures when she followed the rabbit into the rabbit hole. From the endpapers depicting all the spots Alice visited to the last pages on which the Cheshire cat can be seen hanging, this book provides a refreshingly bright introduction to the timeless story. The illustrations almost glow and are filled with imaginative renditions of Alice shrinking and growing and all the animals she met on her travels. Had I read this version first, I suspect that I might have enjoyed the books much more.

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This "updating" of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland wasn't entirely successful (and unnecessary in my eyes). The story, which can be delightfully disorienting feels like the fast-forward button has been hit. The picture book covers the first five chapters and much detail and charm were deleted. The illustrations are interesting but I must say I'm not a fan of Puybaret's Cheshire Cat.

[Shelia Clark Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh. I knew this illustrated book would only cover a portion of the original, but it ended so abruptly and oddly that it nearly spoiled the entire book. Sammi said that she liked the book while I was reading it, but "the ending was weird. And bad". Yep.

[Bo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Grandma's review: Am I the only adult that has issues reading a story to small children that includes eating and drinking unknown food/drink? I skipped a lot of the details.
Almost 5-year-old's review: "I don't want to read that book anymore."

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A visually stunning adaptation that leaves the end open for more curiosities and adventures once readers are more ready to delve into the classic.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was disjunct and confusing. This retelling left too much out to make any sense. Fun pictures, bad writing.

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss 3 and I like to explore different books at the library and try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

So we read "My name is not Isabella" and Miss 3 LOVED it. She recognised Goldilock & the Three Bears but didn't know that the rest of the pages were also references to well known children's books. Thus began a quest to try and get suitable picture book versions of the other tales, like 'Alice in Wonderland'.

Alice in Wonderland: Down the Rabbit Hole
by Joe Rhatigan

Miss 3 LOVES the version of Alice in Wonderland and is fascinated by the magical food and the whole growing / shrinking business. The only thing that makes me sad is that so little of the story is told. This captures Alice going the rabbit hole, through to the River of Tears, the White Rabbit's house, and then she's just started on the path towards the Mad Hatter's Tea Party. I would have been THRILLED if the author had done a series of books to capture the whole story.

[Mark Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s hard to follow, disjointed, and while the original glories in its crazy upside down logic, I found the inconsistencies in this one frustrating. I feel bad reading it to my daughters as written, so I skip most of the text and make up the story instead. The pictures are the only reason I didn’t rate this one star. And even those I think are more appealing to adults than children. Overall a shame on the original classic.

[Jeanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the illustrations for the most part. This version is a just the beginning of Alice's adventures, and doesn't really end. It's more like a "to be continued". Very simplified version for young children, and not as wonderful as I had hoped. (I am currently looking at varied adaptations of Alice to prepare and get design and costume ideas for a live stage version to be presented this summer.)

[Megan (ReadingRover) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Left something to be desired. The illustrations were bold but the story itself was quite clipped down and focused mainly on Alice growing and shrinking. A lot of the nonsense and whimsy was lost.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this modern retelling of Alice in Wonderland, Alice meets many of the wonderful characters we have come to know and love. This book covers Alice going down the rabbit hole, her adventures with growing and shrinking and meeting the caterpillar. There are more adventures to come in this beautifully illustrated series.

Recommended for ages 3-6.

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have like to see the complete story.

[Brownd2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

great illustrations...though story did not cover the entire classic tale which was disappointing...left me wanting more!!!

[Lucy · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting story with a disappointing ending. I expected from it a bit more, but sadly it covered just a very tiny part of the original story.

[Eleni Konstantine · Rating 4 out of 5]

adapted from Lewis Caroll's version. Gorgeous illustrations.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simpler version of the fairytale Alice in Wonderland with bright colored pictures and easy to follow text. It focuses on the big and small of Alice's journey and would be great for one on one and preschool.